Q&A – Tips on Dressing at the Conference

Don’t know what to wear to the conference?

AMY’S DISCLAIMER: As I start writing this blog entry, I am a bit hesitant, in that I don’t want people to think I am giving them a strict dress code on what to wear at the conference. Let’s face it most of us have dress codes that we have to abide to everyday and having some strict dress code for the conference is a total turn off. I totally get it! Everyone has their own flare and taste in clothing, and I think the conference is a perfect place where you can express your individuality professionally. How you dress for the conference is your personal choice. My intent is to only give you some suggestions and tips.

Amy’s Conference History – Not necessary to read, but gives you a brief history on why I am writing this blog entry.
I vividly remember my Director at the child care center I was working at asking me if I wanted to attend the Ohio AEYC conference for the first time. These were the days when Ohio AEYC and ODE had separate conferences (we have come a long way BABY!), and the Ohio AEYC conference traveled around the state. This particular year the Ohio AEYC conference was in Cleveland (I’m thinking 1997 or 1998? Does this date me?). I had worked in the profession for a few years and at the previous center I worked, there was a very limited budget for professional development and never any funds to go a state or national conference. While working at this particular center I met someone who became my mentor and showed me the value of being a member of NAEYC/Ohio AEYC. Somehow I found a way to pay for my membership. I remember receiving the Ohio AEYC conference brochure and reading it from cover to cover, thinking if I had the opportunity to attend how much it would help me in classroom and help me grow as a professional. The conference looked so beneficial to me, that I even considered trying to come up with the money on my own to attend. At that time I was still in school and newly married and I just couldn’t come up with the resources to attend. But now I was working at a center that took professional development seriously and there was money in the budget for staff to attend. Needless to say I was ecstatic and honored to be asked to attend the conference. I wanted to make the most of my first conference experience. I had everything planned, from discussing with my Director on which sessions would be the best for me to attend (we decided on a few but she also encouraged me to choose a few that I was personally interested in) and what to wear. I know what to wear may seem like such a minor detail but I it was my first real conference and I wanted to look professional but not go overboard. Very long story short… some suggestions like this would have been great resource.

Thus my blog entry on tips and suggestions on how to dress at the conference…

Whether you are a seasoned attendee or a first timer, read on. You may find some new ideas!

The basics:
How should I dress at the conference?
We always suggest you dress in layers so if you get hot or cold you can easily add or remove. The convention center tries to keep the workshop rooms at an even temperature but there always seems to be a few rooms where they just can’t keep them regulated. You know if you are a hot or cold person, so dress accordingly. I, for instance, always seem to be cold, so I typically bring a sweater with me in case I get cold.

Shoes

This is me in the hotel after wearing heels all day! ha!ha!

We suggest you wear comfortable shoes at the conference. Maybe I should take my own advice! You will be doing a fair share of walking while at the conference. All of the conference hotels are within walking distance but it is still a little bit of a hike from your hotel to the exhibit hall and breakout sessions. We have allowed plenty of time for you to get from one session to another so you won’t need to wear your running shoes, but trust me wearing heels and walking from one session to another can make    your feet scream at you by lunch.

What should I wear? Or is there a dress code?
That depends on you as individual. Obviously you are going to attend sessions and to allow for the best learning environment it is encouraged that you dress comfortably. Besides attending sessions there are also other many indirect benefits such as networking and meeting new people in the profession who may help you in your career. You never know, you might be sitting next to your new boss or business partner.

We don’t have an official dress code but the typical rule of the thumb I tell people is business casual. The term, business casual is used loosely since it was invented. If you Google the term you will find a ton of sites that define it. The sites will tell you what is considered business casual, what is appropriate and what is not. In a nut shell dressing business casual doesn’t mean that you attend the conference looking like you’re ready for yard-work, it simply means looking clean, professional, but relaxed. Many think that wearing jeans is not appropriate for business casual, but I think for our conference it can be totally appropriate

I want to dress business casual but I don’t have anything in my closet to dress this way.
Did I mention I’m on a limited budget?

We all know that we can shop clearance racks and find great deals. It’s the only way to shop, right? But we are all stretching our dollars these days and trying to find ways to make our money go farther and suggest giving thrift store shopping a try. To be honest I have never been a thrift store shopper. Well… until recently. Thrift stores are nothing like I remember when I was little. We are not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. Now everyone is shopping at thrift stores and it has become a fad, and the thing to do. I can see why! Prices are dirt cheap and you can find any name brand – Limited, Ann Taylor, Nine West, The Loft, Calvin Klein, Polo etc. I have even purchased items with the tags still on them. Of course you need to look over things for spots and tears but for the most part most clothing is in really good shape.

When I say dirt cheap, I mean dirt cheap! Most Thrift Stores have special days in the month where they offer a certain percentage off the already low prices. My local Volunteers of America offers 50% off everything on the last Tuesday of the month. WOW!!! So if you needed a few things for the conference you would still have time this month to take advantage of this. I think this is the same for all Volunteer of America Thrift stores in Ohio.
Here is the link to the VOA website for you to call and check if your local store does the same: http://www.voago.org/Thrift/tabid/4710/Default.aspx.

I went to my local VOA last month and purchased this suit and pants.

The suit is from the Limited and I feel in love with these cute little black shoes. Put it with a black button shirt from my closet and SHAZAM! I have a perfect outfit for the conference. The best thing about the outfit is how much I paid or should I say how much I didn’t pay. Since I went on a ½ price Tuesday the suit was only $3.50 and the shoes were $2.50. I only spent a$6.00 on this entire outfit. How can you go wrong with that?

Other local thrift stores such as Goodwill and Salvation Army also offer additional discounts weekly and monthly.

Goodwill website: http://locator.goodwill.org/
Salvation Army website: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Home

I recently discovered a website called Beauty and Bedlam.com. The website offers a wealth of information about thrift store shopping among other cost saving ideas. A mother of 5 created the site and she blogs on a regular basis and shares the bargains she finds. I’m just a novice thrift store shopper, this lady is an expert. Click on her links to see all her great bargains and tips:

http://beautyandbedlam.com/how-to-navigate-a-thrift-store/

http://beautyandbedlam.com/five-must-do-when-browsing-for-clothes-in-a-thrift-store/

http://beautyandbedlam.com/frugal-fashionista-one-stop-shopping/

I will say thrift store shopping isn’t for everyone and it takes time but as you can see you can find some good stuff.

Do you have any tips for dressing for the conference or where to find some great bargains?
Make a comment to this posting and share!

NAME THAT OHIOAN!

Hot off the printing press with some more news about extraordinary Ohioans!

Who was recently quoted as saying?

“The arts to me are the connective tissue of the human spirit.”

Answer: Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld

Whose creative dance class might you be in?

If you saw a teacher and preschoolers sitting with their legs crossed, swaying from side to side, pretending to ride the ocean waves in their boats visiting exotic destinations.

Answer: Connie Bergstein Dow

Did you know that Mimi was recently interviewed by NAEYC and used to introduce a cluster of articles focusing on young children and the performing arts?  Would you believe that our own Connie Bergstein Dow authored one of the articles included in the cluster?

Yep!  Both are featured in the March 2010 Young Children’s Journal!  This month the Journal focuses on The Performing Arts – Music, Dance and the Theater in Early Years and happened to spotlight two of our Conference PRESENTERS!  The articles address the importance of music, dance and theater for young children from infancy through the primary years.  The authors acknowledge the role the arts can play as tools for learning and how the experience that they provide can enhance children’s lives now and in the future.

Ohio AEYC/NAEYC Members can read the articles in their Journal or online in the Members Only section at www.naeyc.org.  If you aren’t a member and would like to begin receiving the Young Children Journals, you can become a member by going to www.oaeyc.org.

Conference BONUS-

Connie will be presenting a session with Zak Morgan on Saturday morning called: “Dancing, Singing, Marching & Hopping Across the Early Childhood Curriculum” and Mimi will close the conference Saturday afternoon with her session: “Include Me Out! Strategies for Inspiring All Children to Become Eager Participants.”

We have many presenters from all over Ohio sharing their expertise and knowledge throughout the conference.  We appreciate their commitment and contributions to early childhood and our conference.  If you attend the conference, don’t forget to thank them for all they do.  And WE THANK YOU for seeking the opportunity to be all that you can be for the children and families you serve! 

We can be proud to be Ohio Early Childhood professionals!

We grow ‘em strong in Ohio!

On Saturday, May 1st, the final day of the 2010 Ohio Early Care & Education Conference,  two wonderful Ohio women will be presenting.  Both are strong in mind, body and soul and neither willing to let “obstacles” get in their way of spending time with early childhood professionals at the Conference.

As you may recall in our earlier blog, Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld was involved in a serious car accident late last fall.   We’re pleased to report that Mimi is back to the business of fulfilling her job description as the “Queen of Fun.”   She thanks you for all of your support during her recovery.

Our other Ohio friend, Debbie Clement, is putting forth a good fight against breast cancer – again.  Debbie recently shared,  “I am calling this bout, Cancer, the Sequel,  because that gives me a humorous perspective to ponder everything. ”  She is recovering from surgery and appreciates the support and well wishes she receives each day.  If you are interested in dropping a note of encouragement or keeping up with her progress, visit Debbie’s blog at www.rainbowswithinreach.blogspot.com“.  Debbie feels “it is my ‘responsibility’ to help in the campaign for awareness-support-education…”

To Mimi and Debbie, we send you our continued well wishes.  We hope you will join us in remembering others who need our support and encouragement, too.

 If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.    ~Maya Angelou

Top Reasons to Attend the conference.

Our team (special thanks to Beri!) came up with what we believe are the Top 10 Reasons to attend the 2010 Ohio Early Care and Education Conference (they are listed below).
But…
We want to know your reasons for attending.
Here are ours:
1. Meet people with similar interests and experiences who may help you expand your network and circle of influence.
2. Open your mind to new ideas and theories.
3. Be inspired.
4. Experience exhibits and demonstration of products or services you need.
5. Build potential partnerships and relationships that will help you personally or professionally.
6. Feel inspired to write, create or implement something new by expanding on an idea or developing a thought or using a new tool or product.
7. Receive answers to difficult or challenging questions.
8. Discover a new pathway to move your career or to fulfill your professional development needs.
9. Realize how amazing your work is with your new knowledge, skills, and motivation.
10. Grow professionally and better serve the children and families in your care.

What are yours? Please click on comment and share why you attend the Ohio Early Care and Education Conference.

New Industry Campaign Stresses Value of Meetings

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by Cvent Staff

Just under a year ago the meetings industry got Meetings Mean Business, a grassroots campaign to protect the millions of American jobs that depend on business meetings and events. Now, nine industry associations have come together to launch a new campaign: “FACE TIME. It Matters.“

Lead by the Convention Industry Council, the new marketing campaign will promote not just the business value but also the human value of face-to-face meetings and events.

“The FACE TIME campaign will bring home the critical “human side” of the meetings value equation. When combined with our ‘Meetings Mean Business’ effort and Oxford Economics compelling findings on the positive financial return from meetings, it becomes crystal clear how important meetings are to talent growth, business development and the economic vitality of our communities,” said Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Travel Association, in a statement.

When it comes to the benefits of live events, recent focus groups and in-depth interviews conducted by Ypartnership with some of the industry’s leading executives found that:

• Face-to-face meetings build trust and relationships
• Education and training are more effective in a live setting
• Live meetings actually save time and money
• Live meetings result in a more effective exchange of ideas
• Face-to-face meetings provide the human connection that powers business

To learn more about the campaign and access tools for spreading the word on the benefits of live events, visit facetimeitmatters.org.

Emotions, emotions, emotions

Ohio AEYC has graciously invited me to share my knowledge and expertise with the Ohio early childhood community. I am always excited to be able to talk to educators of young children, and their supervisors specifically on the topic of how our own emotions and biases affect our interactions with children and families. Teachers face emotional conflict within themselves from moment to moment when working with young children. Especially with children’s behaviors that present a challenge for us. I know this because I was a teacher of young children for 15 years!

Our own emotional memory gets in the way! It is not always about the child as it is about you and your own emotions – how you learned to express them as a child, how the adults around you responded and how all that is a part of you today. In my presentations, I use a personal and practical approach to get in touch with your own emotions so you can better help children with theirs. I hope to help us all embark, or continue, on a journey toward self-understanding that will reflect positively on our interactions with all young children in our life. Much of this is based on my book:Don’t Get So Upset! Help Young Children Manage Their Feelings By Understanding Your Own.

My second presentation for this conference is about using dolls to support children’s social-emotional development. More talk about emotions! However, this time it is helping children with theirs! I will share with teachers an approach that will help children understand and cope with everyday events and stressful situations. As teachers learn to tell the doll’s stories or speak for the dolls they model dramatic play skills. They represent each situation through a three-dimensional display using culturally appropriate dolls, props, and a written sign that describes the situation from the doll’s perspective. During the group discussion about the doll’s situation, children practice solving problems. They relate their real-world experiences to the imaginary circumstances of the dolls. They identify with the dolls and learn empathy. Indeed, the doll becomes a symbolic classmate who inspires the children to share ideas and feelings that they might otherwise not be comfortable expressing.

I look forward to meeting many of you on April 29.  Although I have traveled extensively in the United States, and around the world, I have never been to Columbus, Ohio! So, I am looking forward to seeing a new place too.

Thanks so much to the organizers of this conference to invite me to post this piece. I love blogging!

For those of you who are interested, I write my own blog called: Mining Nuggets: The Ramblings and Reflections of a 60 year old Zimraelican.

See you soon!

It takes a village…

I do understand the challenges that a center faces when trying to find the necessary resources to support staff in attending a state conference.  Previous to working for Ohio AEYC, I was a center director for twenty years.  I was confronted with the realities of balancing a budget that was short on training funds and maneuvering through the complexities of how to staff the center so that my teachers could attend training.   The value and benefits of teachers attending the conference ranked high on our list of priorities.  We all felt that professional development was a necessary ingredient to the quality of care we were committed to providing. 

So our work began.  We met with the teaching staff and developed a plan that involved educating and recruiting the support of all members of our “village”.  We decided to share our desires for training with the parents and provide them with the direct benefits it would have on their children.  We made the commitment to bring back fresh ideas and current research from the field that we could put into classroom practice.    We thought of creative ways we could document our conference experience to share with the parents, such as making a video to bring back and play in our entry way.  Additionally, we distributed a letter to all the center parents.  With the support of our board of directors, we presented a letter on their behalf asking families what they thought they could do to assist and support us with obtaining our goal. We wanted to send as many teachers to the conference as financially possible without closing the center.  We asked them to consider the following:

• Find alternative child care for the day. (Plan a special “at home-day”)
• Volunteer to care for their child and other classmates in their home
• Sponsor a teacher to attend with a donation
• Pick up their child(ren) early on Friday
• Volunteer at the center

The tradition began many moons ago with great success.  As it turned out, the Village was more than willing to help out and lend the support needed.  In fact, we were a center licensed to care for over a 100 children and on conference Friday (back in April of 1998), we had 7 children attend.  Three of the children belonged to a staff member who was attending the Ohio AEYC Conference.   I must admit too much time has passed to recall the amount of funds that were raised.  Well, it must have been adequate! 

Recently I asked the center to give me an update on how the Village is doing.  The director, Sherry Roush was proud to report, “ Typically, parents make other arrangements for 70% of our children that day!”

I hope this idea can help you support your staff in attending the conference. And we would love to hear some ideas that worked in your village.

Welcome to the 2010 Ohio Early Care and Education Conference Blog

Welcome all to the 2010 Ohio Early Care and Education Blog. Thanks for  checking it out.
Our Blog will offer conference attendees (and hopefully those who are not sure about registering for the conference – YET)  information that you won’t find on our registration site.  There will be a plethora of postings (which we hope you will contribute to as well).  anything from speakers contributing about their sessions to what to expect as first time attendee, restaurant recommendations, where to park, etc.
We would love to have you join us by commenting on any of our posts.
Talk to you soon Ohio Early Care and Education Conference attendees!
Amy Eldridge
Events Director

Underpaid early childhood professionals: Finding the path to better pay

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) NAEYC Radio presents…Underpaid early childhood professionals: Finding the path to better pay http://www.naeyc.org/newsroom/NAEYCradio . A teacher in a preschool with a bachelors degree typically earns $10-15k less a year than a kindergarten teacher with similar preparations.  This segment discusses new insights and developments that may drive increased salaries for early childhood workers and identifies some steps individuals can take to secure better pay. Join NAEYC Executive Director, Mark Ginsberg and Rae Pica with Dr. Marcy Whitebook.  Dr. Whitebook, Ph.D, directs the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at the University at Berkeley, which focuses its research and policy analysis on the relationship between the adult work environment and effective teaching practices, and data systems for tracking the characteristics of and investments in the early childhood workforce.

I Can’t Believe You Said Yes… by Steve Spangler

When Amy called and asked if I would come back to the amazing Ohio Early Care and Education conference, I couldn’t believe it. What… the people in the front row didn’t get enough Diet Coke splashed all over their clothes the last time I was there? Maybe someone didn’t quite hear the kaboom or didn’t get hit in the head with a giant balloon. Or maybe… just maybe… the message worked and the early childhood professional in Ohio are ready for more. If that’s the case (okay, I already found out that it is) I’m so excited to get to keynote your conference.

Lots of things have happened since the I last visited your conference in 2007. Ellen DeGeneres got hooked on science and invited me to use her resources to share some larger scale demonstrations. If you missed what happened when we mixed 2,500 boxes of cornstarch with a garden hose in a hot tub, .

I discovered the police in Colorado also like to do science… and that’s good news because otherwise I’d be writing you from a small room with bars. Missed it? Check this out: 

Oh, and then there was that time last May when 7,000 kids showed up for the World’s Largest Physics Demonstration at Coors Field. The nice people at Guinness World Records awarded showed up and even had a plaque on hand for a new record.

But something far more meaningful happened over the last three years… I discovered the elements of science – wonder, discover and exploration – are universal truths no matter your age, your color or your background. Our children have a need to find out more about their world and how it works. Our children believe anything is possible… until we impose our boundaries on their dreams. And I learned that teachers need professional staff development, support and encouragement to keep hitting home run every day. As professional educators, we need experiences like the ones Ohio AEYC offers.

I can’t wait to see you this at the end of April. I have some new tricks up my sleeve… and few classics… and some ideas to make us all more effective leaders in education.

—Steve

P.S. I dare you to sit in the front row!